By Prince J Musa in Kenema
The Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) on the 20th of February 2023 held a public sensitization with stakeholders on the Proportional Representation better known as the District Block System of voting, at SLTU regional office in Kenema.
The engagement attracted Paramount Chiefs, youth organizations, women’s groups, political parties, civil society organizations, and other electioneering-related groups.
Addressing the audience, ECSL’s Regional Commissioner East, Marian Sia Nyuma Moijueh said the commission’s engagement with stakeholders across the country is for them to be knowledgeable enough about the PR system for the 2023 general elections.
She added that the PR system has a targeted percentage of every candidate that scores highest and will be eligible to either go to Parliament or the Local Council under the Political Party they represent. She went on to say that, ECSL decided to introduce the PR system due to the fact that they do not have enough time on their side to do boundary delimitation upon announcement of the election calendar.
Moijueh emphasized that the PR system will provide opportunities for smaller political parties to have their say in the electoral process; urging independent candidates to get the percentage required that will qualify them to go to Parliament.
‘’PR System creates a level playing field for all Political Parties in the elections,’’ she said.
She further stated that with the PR System, bye-elections which have been surrounded by a lot of political violence and waste of state resources over the years will be a thing of the past.
Commissioner Moijueh reiterated that the PR system has a lot of advantages for all political parties including women through the 30% quota. She also said that the system will address the ideas of political strongholds which she said had been associated with tribes or regions.
Chairman Council of Paramount Chiefs Kenema District, Steven Foday Kpakira Fabba referred to the engagement as important and timely, noting that traditional leaders have vital roles to play toward elections. He maintained that Paramount Chiefs have been put in a difficult situations when it comes to political matters, especially during the campaign period.
He noted that people have associated them with political parties, but he said the emergence of the PR will reduce intimidation and incitement of people in their communities by political parties.
Paramount Chief Fabba, acknowledged the significant moves made by ECSL, and as chiefs, they have many subjects who are voters that needed to be enlightened on election matters.
A Support Officer from the Sierra Leone Police, Alhaji Tarawallie commended ECSL for complementing each other’s efforts in handling elections issues in the country. He defined election as an organized process and that the ideas of election violence do not match up with the democratic process, urging the country to step up above it.
He appealed to young people to refrain from political violence and be conscious of the laws that guide the electioneering process.
The Chairperson Kenema District Women in Governance, Haja Fatmata Dassama referred to the PR system as a big opportunity for women that will ensure inclusive participation through the 30% quota. She stated that a lot of potential women have been left out of the electioneering process due to intimidation by men within political parties.
Copyright © 2023 Politico Online (27/02/23)
